Accomplishment Alert: Waving Goodbye

You have actually been 'waving' for some time now. But it has been more of like a twist of the wrist in anti-clockwise direction with your palms curved in and fingers stretched out. A little like an Indian dance movement. It is super cute. Somehow (mummy doesn't know why) you only do this with your left hand. Will post the video as soon as I get the camera from daddy. But yesterday morning as mummy was getting into her car to go to work, you gave me a 'real' wave goodbye. I know there are many different ways to wave goodbye. Yours was the type where your palm is open and you move your hand up and down and bend or curve your fingers down/in at the same time. Mummy is so proud of your accomplishment. Today you went back to your 'Indian dance' wave which is still so adorable. Mummy thinks that maybe you need a little more time to get used to the conventional adult wave. We'll see again tomorrow ok.

mummy

xxx

Reminder Of The Day

Remember this, I love you UNCONDITIONALLY and you are PERFECT exactly the way you are.

This means that there is nothing you can do, or say or become that will make me love you any less. By day I love you more.

This also means that I accept you exactly the way you are. You need not change anything about yourself to please me. The very person you are, the very person you were born to be pleases me to no end.

Remember this.

I love you.

mummy
xxx

Milestone Alert: Crawling

Baby boo boo. You are crawling. You have been on all fours for over a week. Always rocking and shaking back and forth but never able to move. On the 28th February 2008, mummy saw you crawl for the first time. You seemed to master the art immediately. From a tummy shuffler to a pro crawler instantly. Crawling on the tiled floor hurts your knees I'm sure but you are a strong one and take it bravely. Now, not even a week later you are cruising the living room, crawling as fast as you can to mummy, attempting the stairs. The focus of our next outing with daddy should be baby proofing the home. Oh, I'm so proud. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Mummy really needs to download all the crawling shots and recordings from the camera. You need to see yourself in all your cuteness. Mummy constantly needs to hold back the urge to either squeeze you, bite you or kiss you all over. You make it so hard sweetiepie.

Another milestone you have recently achieved is pulling yourself up to a stand. You can pull yourself up with some effort but can't seem to get down. You tend to stay in one position for the longest time till you get too tired to hold your own weight and break out crying. Mummy finds this kesian but funny at the same time. I was sure this was meant to be the earlier milestone (before crawling) but I guess different development for different babies. Which is fine by me.

You have been sick - Part II

On Tuesday evening last week, you started feeling a little warm. It was a warm day so I didn't think anything of it. As I lay you down that night, you were a little warmer and this time I knew it had nothing to do with the weather because we were in an air-conditioned room. You had a fever. Your first official fever. Well you had a slight temperature after your third Triple Antigen shot but mummy had your fever pillow and it went down within a couple of hours. This time round we didn't have the fever pillow with us. So mummy was up all night, dabbing your forehead with a wet cloth to keep the temperature down. By morning, you were still warm. Mummy skipped work. I checked your temperature with your cucut thermometer and it read 38.5 degree C. Yes a fever but not an alarming figure. Your appetite was good and your mood was as bubbly as ever. Mummy decided to give you some baby paracetemol. By Friday morning, your fever was down. Mummy figured it was safe for me to go back to work and imagined coming back after work to a perfectly healthy baby. Boy was I wrong. Your fever was back. I continued with the cold compress and the paracetemol. By now your appetite has reduced and you have started coughing. However, you smile and laugh no less. Always the happy baby. Your fever peaks during the wee hours of the morning. I worry and I pray. Mummy brings you to the nearest clinic mummy can find. Your temperature is 39 degree C. This is pretty high. The doctor says your body is heaty, your throat is red. However, your lungs are clear. We left with fever medicine, antibiotics and something for your cough. You take the medicine very badly. It hurts me to have to give you three different horrible kinds every 8 hours. But its necessary. By evening your fever is down. I am relieved. Your cough worsens somehow. It's heart wrenching to see my little baby cough. We continue with your medicine. Your appetite remains small. You lose the chubbiness around your arms and thighs. Mummy is so sad. But within 3 days your cough slowly disappears and your appetite is slowly returning. Thank God.

Today, your appetite is back to normal. In fact better than ever. Well, your appetite for milk anyway. Yesterday you took a total of 27.5 ounces! That is a record for you. Mummy is so proud. You have regained some of the chubbiness you lost due to your sickness. You don't know how relieved and happy this makes your mummy. You are such an amazing and perfect little person even when you are sick. I love you baby boo boo.

mummy
xxx

Family Trips: Genting Highlands

We were at Genting Highlands over the weekend. We left KL on Saturday after lunch. Our first Family Trip. Mummy has been waiting for this day FOREVER. I packed all our stuff in daddy's huge luggage. 3/4 of the suitcase was filled with baby gear. Bottles, warmers, brushes and cleaners, wet wipes, diapers, cream and oil, your toys and books, porridge and formula. Then there was the big stuff, your car seat and pram, baby carrier. It was exciting preparing and putting all this together. I bathed you and dressed you in a long-sleeve romper (the beautiful white one with frilly shoulders) and your tiny pair of jeans. Slid on some warm socks for those perfect feet and your oh-so-comfy dress shoes (the Christmas gift from Uncle KT). Finally, you got to wear the cool hoodie Aunty Selina got you. Mummy had to be sure that you were warm at all times. Reduce all risk of you catching a cold on our first trip together - mummy, daddy and baby.

We arrived at our destination about 3:30pm. It took us close to 2 hours to check in because we made the mistake of booking a room (from a CNY promotional package) in the hotel with the most number of rooms in the world! Thank goodness we were up in the mountains where it was cool, comfortable and relaxing. It helped too that you found the CNY decoration and lighting mesmerizing. Your gaze wouldn't leave the colourful clowns that walked by. And the sea of other people waiting to check-in as well. All the hullabaloo kept you occupied and distracted. Mummy even managed to single-handedly feed you lunch while daddy was out parking the car. Baby and food container in one hand and feeding spoon in the other. You finished your porridge!

We finally got to our tiny (but comfortable and clean) room. Mummy unpacked and got organized. Cleared the desk and placed all your feeding and clothing essentials for easy reach. Once settled, mummy was dying to get out and about. So we packed your diaper bag and we headed for the mall. Never had you seen more people (and babies) in your life. We were lucky because just as we walked to the center court a troop of lion dancers lept on stage. This was the first lion dance mummy got to see this year so she was real glad. You were focused on the dancing for maybe 30 seconds before you found the rest of your surroundings like a roller-coaster flying by, a colourful ferris wheel, gondolas steered by mannequins, flickering neon lights, and just about everything else more interesting. It was getting late and we had a long day so we had a quick Thai dinner and headed back to our room for some shut eye.

Sexy back. Hanging on to your crib for dear life. I don't think you've figured out how to get down.

The next morning you woke up happy. Mummy and daddy got dressed and we headed to the cafeteria to have our buffet breakfast. I brought along your brown rice-blueberry-yogurt porridge which you love so much. After stuffing ourselves, we got back to our room, gave you a bath standing up in the sink and hmade our way to Starbucks coz daddy can't do without his daily email checking. We spent the day walking around the indoor theme park and nearby hotels. We had a KFC lunch which you slept through. Come evening mummy, daddy and baby are tired so we get some rest before the show. Dreamz it's called. 2 free tickets with our holiday package. They are a troop from Russia. Like a circus somewhat. Magic shows, lions and tigers, a lot of dancing, a live band and comedy stints. Bright colorful lights and acrobats. You were quite mesmerized by the whole spectacle but mummy guesses it was a little overwhelming for tiny you. Despite the loud music, you dozed off mid show. Then 3/4 of the way, mummy and daddy both decided it was too much for you and we left. The 3 of us needed our rest before the journey home in the morning. I tucked you in your crib just before 11pm, a record for you.

On the way home we stopped by Awana for a feel of something different. Some greenery.

It's All About You

The Runs

An episode of the runs has caused those chubby cheeks of yours to deflate a little. On top of that you have lost some folds around your arms and belly. Those thighs are still thundery and gigitable though. Your appetite has reduced somewhat. Mummy's a teensy weensy bit sad about this. But am super relieved that your poop is now pretty much back to normal, it's regained most of its firmness and greenish-brown color. And gone back to its normal stinkiness. Runny baby poop has such an unusual smell. Tuesday night was a hard night for mummy, daddy and baby. You were up many times, letting out little cries of pain and discomfort followed by some major letting go of air and other matters. Mummy couldn't do much to console you because she was experiencing some unexplainable pains and aches herself. I could hardly stand let alone hold you in my arms. So I lay down in bed, kept myself warm and rested. Thank God daddy came to the rescue. He took care of you and made sure mummy was feeling alright too. After more farting and purging episodes, daddy managed to calm you and finally you dozed off. Mummy was soon in dreamland too.

You have been rubbing your gums together for some months now but your pearly whites have yet to break through those gums. Smacking your lips together over and over has become a new and super cute habit. More drool, Less appetite. Purging. The only 'teething sign' you have not experienced is fever. Thank God. Although everyone around me is convinced these are teething symptoms, I have read several articles that mention there is no connection between these signs and teething. BUT, mummy's convinced you'll get your teeth soon. According to your doc, from her experience the average age of teeth sprouting is 8 months. That's you!

Anyhow, your front row (top and bottom) gums are hard and have turned mostly white. But no sign of a tooth yet. Mummy's probably going to wake up one morning to you smiling at me with a complete set of shiny teeth! A bit of a scary thought when you really put your imagination to it. Doesn't matter, you're my angel with or without teeth!

mummy
xxx

Blast-Off

3...2...1...blast-off!

Hey sweetheart, were not sending you to the moon so don't worry that not-so-little head of yours. It doesn't show in this shot but you actually like your new car seat. For one, you are no longer facing the back. Two, you're elevated so your eye level is pretty much near mummy's. You enjoy being able to see what we see. I want to say the beautiful landscape, country meadows, etc. but alas all we see is passing traffic and elevated highways. Oh well, as long as you are snuggled comfortably and safely. Oh, but today I read in Baby Center that you should be in your rear-facing car seat until your first birthday or until you reach 20 pounds. So, mummy's gotta have a serious discussion with daddy on this and decide on the best solution. Come to think about it, you do look a little tiny for that seat.

Splish Splash

Pre-dip

We decided to bring you swimming for the first time. You have been by the poolside so many times. Had a few dips - just your little feet. So on Friday, we got you in you itsy-bitsy blue two-piece suit and got you soaked. Boy were you excited. You kept rubbing those little feet of yours together. Daddy was in the pool with you. Mummy had to stay dry to take the pictures. It was so much fun watching you kick excitedly in the water. You had your floaties on and daddy held you tight the whole time. Swimming pool water tastes just like regular water doesn't it? Ewks.

You geram-ing the floatie

So happy to finally be in

Mummy was very prepared. Before soaking you in, I rubbed some Vicks Vaporub on your chest and back. This being your first time, we made sure you were not in for too long, I think it was about 10 minutes. We went in when the pool water was at its warmest. According to Aunty Otta, this is around 6pm. It was quite sunny out and the water was cool but not cold. First daddy held you face down but you kept licking the splashing water. So we decided lying you on your back was the most practical. Mummy thinks your'e a natural backstroker.

The backstroke. Check out those thighs! Gigitt!

After your ten minutes were up, we snuggled you in your towel and got you out of your wet bikini right away. Rubbed a little more Vicks on your chest and back and bathed you real quick. No fuss on your end. We'll probably bring you again in a week or so. Thank God you didn't fall ill or anything.

Post-dip

The Little Pink Clip

The little pink, felt clip. The one with the flower. Five pink petals. It sits in the tiny compartment on the door to my right. Some people unintentionally fill this compartment with loose change, paper clips, scraps of paper, toll receipts, a collection of dust. My little compartment is clear except for the little pink clip. In the morning I sit myself down and close the door beside me, I glance down and I spot the little pink clip and my heavy heart is warmed and I smile a smile that comes from within. I reach my destination and as I open the door to start another day, again my eyes are drawn to that little pink clip. And I am reminded of you, again. The little pink clip trying its best to hang securely on your little little hair. I start my day with that simple but powerful thought of you. And after a long and exhausting (and most of the times unfruitful) day, I sit myself down safely and there it is, the little pink clip. My feeling now is different. My destination is you. The corners of my lips turn up and the eagerness builds. Oh, I can't reach soon enough. I switch off the engine, I look at that little pink clip for the last time (today). I want to pick it up and rub the felt with my fingers but thats just a delay. My movements are clumsy-like. It takes tremendous effort not to sprint to the lifts. But in seconds I see you through the metal grille and when you spot me, the excitement and joy in your eyes sends me to heaven. I want to hold you and never let you go.

xxx
mummy